Wayne Rooney named captain of England national team
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was named captain of the England national team, manager Roy Hodgson announced Thursday.
Rooney takes over for Steven Gerrard, who retired from international competition after the World Cup, which England was eliminated from in the group stage.
“To be named as England captain is a dream come true for me personally and of course my family,” Rooney said. “It is something that I will take massive pride in doing."
WAHL: Unveiled at last: Robin Williams, Blatter 1994 World Cup interaction
Hodgson also announced the team for England's European Championship qualifier against Switzerland on Sept. 8 and a friendly against Norway next week. The team called up four players for the first time: defenders Calum Chambers and Danny Rose, and midfielders Jack Colback and Fabian Delph.
Rooney, who is also captain of Manchester United, said he expects to speak with Gerrard about his new role as captain and to seek his advice.
“I would hope that I have the full backing of the fans, I am their type of player," Rooney said. "My only thought is to win and give everything I have got, and that desire will be the way I want to captain the team."
- Scooby Axson
